Exceptional Brunch At Rose Cafe Near Venice Beach

It's no secret that Venice Beach is one of LA's most quintessential hangouts every day of the year. Neither rain nor excessive shine will keep Angelinos from surfing, jogging, shopping, skating, bodybuilding, and Instagramming the crap out of this place. So, it should come as no surprise that the surrounding streets and neighborhoods are absolutely overflowing with trendy cafes, coffee shops, and food stands cranking out some of the most Instagram-worthy cuisine this side of LA. Rose Cafe is perhaps one of the most loved by locals, with plenty of space both inside and out for eating, picturesque artsy decor, amazing cocktails, better food- loaded breakfast burritos, fried chicken sandwiches, green harissa lamb shwarma, healthy grain bowls… the list goes on- and a full roster of decadent pastries that are off the charts!

For lunch on a weekday, it is always easy to find a seat. You can sit inside in one of their spacious dining rooms or communal tables. Or you could opt for a table outside in their breezy patio. Either option offers its own charm.

Fried Chicken Sandwich from Rose Cafe — by Juvi Guevara

I'm not much of a beer or wine lover, but you have a plethora of each to choose from if that's your thing. My favorite part of the menu- next to the coffee, of course- are the cocktails. They have one called the 'Basic,' which is made with Pumpkin Gomme (sugar syrup), cinnamon, Rose rum blend, barrel-aged bitters, and egg white. Sounds weird, a bit on the tangy side, but very smooth & slightly-sweet. The Aperol Spritz is always a safe way to go if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, but don't want all the calories.

The 'Basic' Cocktail — by Juvi Guevara

Food-wise, the menu is impressive. From experience, I can say that the Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, smoked cheddar, peanut-poblano mole, crispy potatoes, juniper bacon, and avocado, is a monster of a burrito. It comes served with sour cream & a green chile sauce which isn't really spicy, on the side. It's the perfect breakfast food. The Fried Chicken Sandwich made with crispy buttermilk fried chicken, avocado, Oaxaca cheese, cabbage slaw, and smoked aioli is absolutely delicious. It's a bit smaller than I would like, but the flavor more than makes up for it. It comes with a rather disappointing side salad, but you can always order a side of their curry fries for an extra $3.

They even have a few more international options like a grilled cheese sandwich made with Parisian ham and a quince mostarda that is a bit like chutney. And the Porchette & Taleggio Sandwich with pickled peppers and caramelized fennel sounds amazing, as well.

The rest of the menu is equally satisfying; it really all comes down to what you're feeling for the day. And please, don't worry about calories when coming here. The flavor is worth the splurge. Go walk it off on the boardwalk!